I'm out

Congratulations to Ron and Jim. Best of luck with your new cars. The 997TT and R8 are on my list, but I don't think I could sell or trade my 355 for one. Also the Ford GT, but that car is starting to get too expensive. It seems like we are seeing quite a few FChat members selling their cars lately.

 

It's like owning a boat & having 2 Footitis. We had a 355 for 4 yrs then Maserati GT-S & now F430. We missed riding the horse. My wife loves the F1 but we still hav our Porsche 997 C2S MT.


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The R8 is a beautiful car. It has a lot of design elements in common with a traditional mid-engine Italian sports car, like the 355. I think it has some very nice proportions and lines. It's also a very friendly car to drive, and it benefits from being a modern machine. That said, I don't think it strikes a chord the same way the 355 does. The Germans are much more conservative on styling, and it shows. The R8 is a "handsome" sports car while the 355 is a sexy one... even after almost 20 years.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Congrats on getting the V10 variant, as well... that's certainly the direction I'd choose. Enjoy it!!

 

I'm not saying the R8 isnt pretty, it's just there feels to me like there are lots of little gimmicks to make it attractive to people. The 355 is simply beautiful in a timeless way and needs no flashy additions to make it stand out. Still can't believe it hit the market all the way back in the mid 90's.

 

great decision, the 991 turbo S is on my next car to buy list, unless another Ferrari catches my eye first but it will need to be pretty amazing for me to say no to the porsche, however am also considering a Gallardo aswell, decisions decisions. How come you thought you had made a huge mistake? Dont know if i could go without atleast one Ferrari, I wouldnt sacrifice all of my Ferraris to get a 991 Turbo S but I would sacrifice one of them if my wallet didnt allow me to keep it, the later model 911 turbos are mind blowing amazing.

Interesting how many of you are buying these R8's, ive heard good things about them but dont know if i would be happy with one. Is it just me or after owning Porsches and Ferraris does everything else just seem dissapointing?

 

I am on the same fence. R8 coupe felt great compared to a pre LP560 Gallardo. Sharper steering and throttle response and better ride. It doesn't possess the visual or audible drama of a 355 but an R8 is a great car.

 

Car is on EBAY!

 

As nice looking as the R8 undoubtedly is, if I spent that level of money it would NEVER be on any modern Audi, BMW or Merc, I couldn't bear the depreciation, you clearly can so fair play to you.

 

And yet you can deal with the depreciation on the R8 which no doubt will be much greater??....I don't get it mind you I don't have a problem with anyone deciding they need a change...but due to maintenance costs when other "costs" will be more significant? I don't understand the logic

 

Uhm.. I would never do a trade like that!
I'm not a big R8 fun, my uncle used to have the 4.2 FSI R-tronic, it was a waste of money. Plus, all the lacks.
This is only my opinion, but if you're happy about that trade, that's the important!!
Congrats and enjoy your new purchase!

Oh, and.. I hope you're not "out" at all!

Ares


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I liken the 355 to a woman: She looks great initially, but once she opens her mouth she becomes less attractive = 355 constantly breaking, ridiculous service, etc.

 

Still on the hunt for a decent 355F1 GTS, I've actually lobbed a call into my Audi dealer to inquire about an R8 V10. The 2015's start production in June, and according to the dealer would mean I could have it sometimes in August (shame - there goes the summer). As optioned, I'd be looking at around $170k.

To me, the R8 is a compromise between the 355 and 458. It's significantly more expensive than the 355, but it's still a good $70k - $100k less than the 458 even for the V10... which, BTW, is the only version worth looking at as the V8 is really a bit underwhelming for what's essentially a modern supercar. The R8 V10's performance still won't hold-up to a 458, but I'm not sure a "commoner" like myself (who doesn't track it) could ever perceive that difference on the road.

I have to say, there's a certain appeal to the modern options (whether an R8 or 458) over the 355... with the R8 also appearing a bit more approachable as a "drive it anywhere" type of car that comes with a standard 4 year / 50k mile warranty (hard to overlook that). Then again, you get in the R8 and have no doubt it's an Audi - Audi knobs, buttons, and semi-antiquated navigation system. It doesn't have the "special" feel of a 458, albeit it's still a VERY nice interior... and much more modern, obviously, compared to a 355. Funny enough, you can see a lot of the Audi/VW controls carrying over into the Lambos these days, too.

I think the R8 V10 is going to be added to my list of possible options.

 

... but for $170k you can get pretty much any V12 Lamborghini (Countach , Diablo, Murcielago) and enjoy a much cooler car with zero depreciation

 

True - but like all exotic purchases, I'm sure rational thought has little to do with it. I'm just not attracted to those cars... beautiful and powerful as they may be, they don't "do it" for me.